Inyo explores new way to deliver service

Since Inyo officials approved some $2 million in wage hikes that they can’t pay for next fiscal year, they are involved in what they call Service Redesign to save money and increase revenue. Consultant Frank Benest has led teams of department heads and officials from Inyo County, Mono County, City of Bishop, BLM, and the Forest Service through workshops.

Tuesday, team leaders reported to the Board of Supervisors on some of their ideas. Pam Hennarty described potential cutbacks in landfill days with more recycling and some fee changes as an example. She also said the transfer of equipment operators at the dumps to Public Works would save a lot of money. Said Hennarty, “We would like to use the money on more fun services and get out of hot water with the State on recycling.”

Probation Officer Jeff Thomson said his team looked at collaborating on courier services, grant writing and fiscal and administrative services with potential savings of $50,000. The Criminal Justice Team was more about avoiding future costs as an increased number of inmates come to the jail from state law changes. Potential solutions include alternative custody programs, treatment programs, and rehabilitation programs. Sheriff Bill Lutze said the jail population is high and there are segregation issues.

The Human Services Team looked at relieving a deputy position in the Public Guardian Department for a potential savings of $80,000. The Contracting Services Team looked at mutli-agency purchasing and service sharing for potential savings of more than $50,000.

Although the Bishop City Council has decided not to contract with Inyo for law enforcement at this time, there is apparently still the possibility of a dispatch services contract.

County Administrator Kevin Carunchio said that with the action plans proposed, so far there is a potential for $1 million in savings on the table. He said the Service Redesign process is a “mindset shift of the departments going forward.” Sharing of services and employees is a big part of currently proposed plans.

The seven teams working on plans will solidify options for the Board of Supervisors, apparently in May. Board members were supportive of the efforts but did point to real consequences next year if savings are not made.

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About Benett Kessler

Always interested in writing, Benett was the editor of her high school paper, proceeded to the University of Chicago and then out West where she and John Heston formed Eastern Sierra News Service in Inyo County. They fed film to KNXT in Los Angeles and co-wrote and produced the first daily radio news in the Eastern Sierra. Their work ranged from a published news magazine to the first television newscast. They continued to provide videotaped news to KABC and other news outlets. After a seat on the Mammoth Times board and work as newswriter, Benett formed her own company, Sierra Broadcasters and launched an FM radio station, now KSRW and a broadcast television station, KSRW-TV33. The latest addition - Sierrawave.net. Her company motto: Comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable.

Pam Hennarty described potential cutbacks in landfill days with more recycling and some fee changes as an example. She also said the transfer of equipment operators at the dumps to Public Works would save a lot of money. Said Hennarty, “We would like to use the money on more fun services and get out of hot water with the State on recycling.”

What the heck are the “FUN SERVICES?” More feel good retreats? Fact finding trips to Washington, DC? How about we take the Supervisors, Dept. Heads & Elected Officials car allowance away. Why do the highest paid employees get all the perks? If you are being paid $8,000 or more a month then you should pay for your own transportation.

It is not fair to blame the rank and file County workers for the budget problems!

Maybe Pam Hennarty should return her brand new F-150 4×4 she gets to drive around and take home every night. How much would that save the County? Inyo County is not implementing ways to increase recycling, they are only increasing use fees. Hennarty’s plan is thoughtless and does nothing to positively encourage recycling.

If the county supervisors and CAO budgeted the county into a $2 million shortfall, then they’re incompetent and need to go, or at least forfeit their salaries, or as a minimum their perks. They were elected to manage the county with the funds already seized, or anticipated through future taxes, at current tax and fee levels. Again, if they can’t maintain the service level with those funds, they need to go, including the department heads. Is there nothing politicians and bureaucrats can’t manage without sticking it to the citizens?
So far as county pay is concerned, the only true measure of pay parity is churn. If the churn is roughly equal to the private sector, then the pay is about right. If the churn is far less than the private sector, then the pay is too high. The fact is, most government workers, especially in Mono and Inyo Counties, wouldn’t even be able to find a job in the private sector with pay and benefits equal to what they get feeding at the public trough. If the pay and benefits are determined to be right, and the government workers play games by strikes, slowdowns, or other work actions, fire them and start over. There are easily ten under employed, or unemployed people for every government job that would jump at the chance for a government job at the pay level that existed even before the unaffordable $2 million bonus.
Yes, I’m tired of whiny politicians and government workers always whining for more money when the private sector workers are stiffed at every turn.